Ian Desmond and Adam LaRoche are finalists to win their first Gold Glove awards.

Desmond is one of four National League shortstops up for the award, joining the Marlins' Jose Reyes, the Phillies' Jimmy Rollins and the Reds' Zack Cozart. LaRoche is one of three NL first baseman named finalists, along with the Braves' Freddie Freeman and the Reds' Joey Votto.

All winners will be announced at 9:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday in an awards show televised by ESPN2.

Gold Glove awards are voted on by major-league managers and coaches, who submit their choices in late-September.

Neither Desmond nor LaRoche has ever won the award. Desmond is coming off a breakthrough season in which he was named an All-Star for the first time while excelling in the field. He was charged with 15Read more »

Gonat said… Just got some cool news that I'm not sure they were supposed to disclose but from Kristen Hudak at ESPN tweeted me that in tomorrow's announcement of the Gold Glove, Ian Desmond and Adam LaRoche are both finalists! October 29, 2012 12:33 PM ___________________________________I posted this on the other thread. I didn't ever know they publicly disclosed this type of info.Mark, did you get a Press Release?

Tcostant said… http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/29/gold-glove-finalists-announced/I can't understand how Danny wasn't in the top three at 2? October 29, 2012 1:22 PM __________________________________He should have been which unfortunately tells you what the general consensus is on Danny and especially the rumors on Gold Glove voting is they look at overall numbers like offense which they shouldn't.This award should be strictly about defense but I have long figured Brandon Phillips runs away with it.

Zim can not make the list if he can not make the basic plays. His arm is an embarrassment for all baseball (fans and coaches)…it is like watching a an animal slaughter house…if you have any humanity you have to look away on a straight on hopper to him.Understand why they do not even want to go there by putting him on the list of finalists.Danny, close and likely was good enough to be on the final list.

I think Danny lost a few points because when he first switched to SS he made a couple of errors. I think he should get extra credit for playing the more difficult position, and also for being able to switch positions mid-game, not to mention he played, I think, 160 games. But they do look at offense–which they shouldn't.

baseballswami said… On his worst day, Zim still makes plays no other 3B comes close to making. October 29, 2012 1:55 PM _______________________________That's my feeling. Tough crowd today. I don't care about style points meaning Zim's ugly throws are like watching Hunter Pence play the OF, it ain't pretty but they get the job done.

Zimmerman may make plays others don't but he is a little error prone. I take him over any other third baseman but there are some very consistent third basemen who make enough spectacular plays to earn a gold glove. Espinosa will earn a gold glove at some point. Suzuki should get a little love too. He was not not in the league long enough to win it, but he certainly seems to have all the tools.

Who are those very consistent third basemen who have Zim's range and never boot a ball or sail a throw? Zim made some bad throws, but he hardly ever booted fielding a ball. He also gets to things no one else gets to. Lots of 3B's are just guys who used to play else where. Longoria is great but is hurt a lot more than Zim. Sandoval is ok for a big guy, but there is no way he makes plays that Zim makes. Really – who are these great third basemen who are better than Zim at range, fielding , error rate and throwing all as one package. And even though they are not supposed to include offense – you know they do, and not many are better than Zim. This just cannot be a very long list. It's not called the hot corner for nothing. It's a very tough position.

NatsLady said… So, if the Nats lost the NLDS because of Storen, did the Tigers lose the World Series because of this guy? Great interview, tears your heart out.the-game-of-baseball-just-kicked-me-in-the-butt_______________________________Good interview. Did the Tigers upset the baseball gods when they were a little too cocky after sweeping the Yankees in 4? That's why the Cardinals were humbled and embarrassed by the Giants after the gar-bage they spewed on the Nats.Note to Nats in every series and after every post-season game, be humble and gracious.

whatsanattau said… Who was the Nats best fielding starting pitcher this year? In my judgment, Jackson. (It wasn't Wang). Gio? Zimm? October 29, 2012 3:05 PM _______________________________No way, EJax had a hard time throwing over to 1st. JZim is an above average fielding pitcher. You learn that after getting a broken jaw in college.

NatsLady – me, too. I am happy to still have power, but I have been a tv and internet junkie today. Seems so odd to be lazing around when I am usually so busy. The "catch up" list is just sitting there giving me the fish eye. I am choosing to ignore it.

NatsLady said… Nats depth charthttp://www.mlbdepthcharts.com/2012/10/washington-nationals-2012-13-offseason.html#.UI7YpcXA_8k October 29, 2012 3:30 PM __________________________________I see they are just taking out the Free Agents and inserting players currently in the system. They have Corey Brown as the 25th man.

Yes, the "depth chart" is basically a reference document, doesn't include any possible trades, promotions, etc. Doesn't add much for an alert fan, just puts it all in one place. It's more interesting to look at the charts for other teams that you are not as familiar with.

From a guy at the AFL games (in person).Bernie Pleskoff ‏@BerniePleskoff#AFL12 What I Liked: Kent Matthes smoked the ball. Perry and Flynn pitched well. Davis, Pillar, Marisnick 2 hits each. Yelich solid At-Bats.Bernie Pleskoff ‏@BerniePleskoff#AFL What I Didn't Like: Salcedo scuffled on defense at 3B, Goodwin left 5 men on in lead off role, Rasmus Rearick tough outings on mound.

Like it or not, the system has changed, October ("tournament") baseball has become more important. — From 1903 to 1968, the team with the best record in baseball won the World Series a little more than 50% of the time.– When four teams made the playoffs, the team with the best record in baseball won the World Series 28% of the time (7 out of 25)– Since 1995, team with the best record won the World Series 17% of the time (3 out of 18) and one of those winners, the 2007 Red Sox, actually tied for the best record.Full article, very interesting (IMO).Octoberhttp://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2012/10/it-all-about-october.html?m=1Hope y'all have power, it's awfully quiet around here…

As much as is possible for any Phillie, I feel sort of sorry for Polanco. His crimes are being somewhat old, injured and a little overpaid. The Phillies don't have anything better than him at 3B, and they have zero quality backup infielders. Unless they sign a FA 3B — which they probably can't afford — or trade a better than average pitcher (Kendrick?) for somebody's younger 3B, they won't be better, and probably worse than they were w/ Polanco, and certainly won't have any capable reserve IFs. (Does anyone see an opening for Alberto Gonzalez?) For Polanco's sake, I hope they make him a respectful offer.

Theo, agree. The Phillies have problems and there is no easy solution. I am surprised that "gamblers" are rating them so high. I'm not very familiar with their farm system, but unless they have some good prospects coming up, I don't see hope for them in 2013 beyond a .500 team.

Lots of my relatives live where the Phil's AAA team, the Iron Pigs, play. They don 't see the team as a place to see exciting young prospects play. They go there to see veterans that are stashed until needed or in rehab assignments. They make comments about how they hope those guys don't get called up because they will never be ( fill in the blank here with Utley, Howard , etc). They cannot let go of their beloved veterans. Well, except for Jayson, and my sister is still bitter that he is gone.

Gonat, I'm surprised Zim didn't make the Final 3 given how much pride he takes in his defense. I didn't expect him to win but expected the voters would have him in the Top 3.He'll get there again when he becomes the Nat's everyday first baseman.

NatsJack in Florida said… Everybody survive the night? Reports down here are that you haven't been hit as hard as expected. October 30, 2012 7:44 AM ____________________________The "derecho" storm was much worse in the DC area but now the fear is flooding as the rain keeps falling it could bring more trees down.

JD at 12:23, I just fell out of my chair laughing. There are those that would be negative at the route of the World Series parade.JayB and I agree but disagree on Danny Espinosa. Let's see how he does in Spring Training and if he hasn't shortened that swing, send him to AAA to work on it. This team has "it". Embrace IT, love it, enjoy it.